THE PHILIPPINES—On May 5-18, 45 campers from different parts of the country gathered for the 2014 Philippines Philadelphia Youth Camp in Clearwater Country Club in Clark, Pampanga. The camp theme, based on 1 Corinthians 7:14, was “Faith, Family and Friends.”
During orientation for the two-week camp, director John Macdonald emphasized that the teens in God’s Church are set apart for holy use. “pyc is about God working with you,” he said. During the “talking stick” introduction activity, campers described their desire to grow spiritually and also to speak more English, which is a second language for the majority.
Campers participated in activities including beach volleyball, swimming, soccer, softball, and kayaking through an obstacle course on an artificial stream. They also danced the swing, cha-cha and waltz, and heard lectures on womanhood, leadership, budgeting, goal-setting and vision, nutrition and table etiquette.
PYC Plays at Sandbox
THE PHILIPPINES—On May 13, 45 campers and 19 workers conquered fears of heights, tested their dexterity, and felt the adrenaline rush in all-terrain vehicles at the Sandbox recreational facility in Porac, Pampanga.
Dorms stepped, swung and rode through the giant playground’s stations, which included an aerial walk, 15-foot adventure tower, a giant swing, and a roller coaster zip line. They also tested their riding skills on a bike track and experienced some intense rides on atvs.
Camper Miguel Pocholo Guillar said the free fall and giant swing activities were “challenging because I had to conquer my fears. I felt my muscles tense every time I fell, but it was a great experience.”
Josiah Wesley Rodis described the activity as “enjoyably terrifying.”
Dorothy Ann Miriam Rodis said riding across bumpy, sandy roads in speeding atvs driven by camp director John Macdonald or assistant camp director Kirk Macdonald was “the coolest activity.”
“There’s so many things I needed to deal with at Sandbox—stability on the ropes and harness, sand, fear of heights—but still I ended up having fun with my fellow campers,” camper Sharayah Faye Concepcion said.
The new adventure hub 45 minutes away from the campsite was a door God opened, according to Kirk Macdonald, who organized the activity. After scaling Mount Arayat last year, it was challenging to find a new, more rigorous activity to push the young people further, he said. Mr. Macdonald and Philippines office manager Broderick Tongco explored off-site activities, and the venue opened just in time for it to be included in the activity roster.— PCG STAFF, with reporting by Paul Orencia and Ma. Vina Leal
“I learned that we should develop and prepare now so that we can be better wives in the future physically and spiritually,” camper Anjulie Cruz said after Womanhood class.
Camper David Concepcion said this year’s camp “deepen[ed] my insight of the God Family vision—that we are going to be like God.”
Campers said one of the most challenging evening activities was Bible Quiz Night. At the end of the battle of Bible brains, Dorm 2B, “David’s Rock,” won the contest.
At the first Friday-night dinner, campers and workers dined in a jungle-like setting with life-size paper animals, including a lion, crocodile and elephant. Female campers set tables, arranged flowers, and baked cream puffs for dessert. After the meal, campers and staff watched two Trumpet Daily episodes that featured the David—The Endless Throne Begins musical. Campers said they were uplifted to see the way God blessed headquarters with the talent that contributed to the success of the performance.
The next day, campers conversed with the Angeles City members before and after services and listened to a recorded sermon by Pastor General Gerald Flurry titled “Building the Work of God.” After sunset, campers danced, applying the moves they learned in dance class.
Another evening activity consisted of the movie Dolphin Tale, which tells the true story of a young boy who cares for a tailless dolphin and helps bring together a group of people including two families to help save her. Campers said one of the memorable lines from the movie tied in with the camp theme: “Family is forever.”
During the second half of pyc, campers participated in an off-site activity at a nearby obstacle course. Assistant camp director and activity organizer Kirk Macdonald said he wanted this year’s activity to push the campers further, and the obstacle course provided that opportunity.
One of the most anticipated events during pyc was speech night, held at a hall inside a newly opened hotel. The program included four speakers, three of whom are Imperial Academy–Philippines students. Camp worker Zuraida Mae Villanueva said it was “amazing” to see God “stirring and steering these young people’s minds to His way of life.”
Many first-time campers said the fine-dining experience was also memorable.
“It was very beautiful there, and the food was very delicious,” said first-time camper Claire Kent Bolhano. Mrs. Lynda Macdonald, who taught etiquette class, said she was well pleased with the setting, as it gave campers the opportunity to apply principles they had learned in class. “I was surprised to see the butter knife, which they learned how to use in this year’s etiquette class,” she said.
Toward the end of the session, campers and workers squared off for all-star volleyball and soccer games. The games demonstrated the strength and endurance of the youthful campers, but the worker teams’ experience won them the victory. On the last day of camp, worker and camper teams participated in the Mini Olympics. This year’s event tested the agility, fitness and quick wits of the teams across six stations: swimming, volleyball, kayaking, biking, running, CrossFit and an obstacle course. Teams also had to answer questions ranging from memory scriptures, lecture notes, and even manual computation (learned in budgeting class) in order to advance to the next station. The worker team claimed the victory.
This was the fourth year pyc–Philippines was held in Clearwater, and it was “the best camp ever in terms of attitudes and spirit,” according to John Macdonald. Workers who served at previous pycs observed that campers were more enthusiastic, more focused, and more engaged in all of the classes and activities.